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International Freedom of Expression eXchange Clearing House
________________________________________________________________
Date: 1 May 1996

LIBERIA: Widespread looting and arson attacks target media
outlets and printing press

ORIGINATOR: Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), New York

On 29 April 1996, the transmitter of the ELCM (97.9 FM) community
radio station operated by the Catholic Church and the editorial
offices of the independent newspapers "Inquirer" and "New
Democrat", all of which were openly critical of the Liberian
Council of State, were completely destroyed in separate arson
attacks. As well, the offices of the privately-owned Ducor Radio
(DC101 FM) and Radio Monrovia were thoroughly looted and
ransacked. Sabanoh Printing Press, a privately-owned press which
services all of the state and independent newspapers, suffered an
arson attack and was partly destroyed. The owner sought refuge in
Sierra Leone but his son, who remained in Monrovia, is assessing
the damage and plans to renovate and begin operations as soon as
possible.

Meanwhile, the editorial offices of the "Daily Observer", "Daily
News", "The News", "First National Pool", "New Patriot" (operated
by the National Patriotic Front of Liberia, NPFL) and "The
National" were left untouched, as were the offices of KISS-FM
(also operated by the NPFL) and the state-owned radio Liberia
Broadcast System. It is believed that looters could not reach the
offices because they were located in downtown Monrovia near where
the fighting was concentrated. In addition, West African
peacekeeping (ECOMOG) forces are based near the offices and did
not allow faction fighters and looters to pass through their
checkpoints.

Siaka Konneh, President of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL),
strongly condemned the recent arson attacks and massive
destruction of media offices in Monrovia. PUL believes that these
acts, on the part of some members of warring factions, were
deliberate and calculated attempts to silence the Liberian press.

For further information, contact Kakuna Kerina (x103) or Azeen
Salimi (x118) at CPJ, 330 Seventh Ave, New York NY 10001, U.S.A.,
tel:+1 212 465 1004, fax:+1 212 465 9568, e-mail:
kkerina@cpj.org, asalimi@cpj.org

The information contained in this alert is the sole
responsibility of its originator.
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________________________________________________________
Bruce Girard
AMARC - Pulsar
Email: bgirard@pulsar.org.ec
http://www.web.apc.org/amarc/pulsar.html
Tel: +(593-2) 525-521    Fax/Tel: +(593-2) 542-818
Avenida America 3584, Casilla 17-01-1171, Quito, Ecuador